Topic outline

  • Use of Fly Ash in Highway Construction

    Credits: 6 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Coal fly ash is a coal combustion product that has numerous applications in highway construction. Fly ash has been used in roadways and interstate highways since the early 1950s.

    In 1974, the Federal Highway Administration issued an official notice which urged states to allow partial substitution of fly ash for cement whenever feasible. In addition, to encourage the use of fly ash the Environmental Protection Agency published federal procurement guidelines for cement and concrete containing fly ash.

    The present course provides basic technical information for highway engineers who want to learn about the advantages of fly ash as originally envisioned by the FHWA and the EPA and as borne out by the subsequent experience of other engineers involved in highway construction.

    Topics:

    • Origin and production of fly ash
    • Handling of fly ash
    • Physical and chemical characteristics
    • Environmental benefits
    • Environmental impacts
    • Portland cement concrete applications
    • Applications in stabilized base courses
    • Applications in flowable fills
    • Soil improvement using fly ash
    • Applications in asphalt pavement
    • Fly ash applications in grouts for pavement subsealing
    • Additional developments in fly ash technology

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: primarily for a highway engineers seeking to learn the advantages of using fly ash in highway construction.
    Publication Source: US DOT (Federal Highway Administration)


    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1